We feel ya, Yu.
Because we're not allowed to have nice things, Texas Rangers starting pitcher and resident ace Yu Darvish has been placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Aug. 10, with inflammation in his right elbow. Darvish felt tightness in his elbow while playing catch on Monday, and is set to undergo more testing on his elbow within the next 24 hours, per Fox Sports Southwest's Anthony Andro.
The tightness was still present on Tuesday before a bullpen session, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, and the decision was made after a brief catch on Wednesday with trainer Kevin Harmon present.
Darvish was in the midst of another sterling season, registering a 3.06 ERA and a staggering 182 strikeouts in 144⅓ innings on the year. Robbie Ross will assume Darvish's spot in the rotation for now, and left-handed pitcher Alex Claudio has been called up to replace him on the roster.
Update:
Jon Daniels: Do not believe the ligament is involved in Yu Darvish injury; will have MRI tomorrow. Hopeful he misses only 2 starts.
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) August 13, 2014Jon Daniels called Yu Darvish's injury "flexor pronator tendinitis." Ask Colby Lewis and Jason Jennings about flexor tendons.
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilson_FWST) August 14, 2014While it looks like Darvish might avoid UCL damage, flexor tendons are tricky. For the optimists out there, Mat Latos recently had flexor tendon soreness and was able to avoid surgery.